Related

Grace McCarthy — former MLA, cabinet minister and one of the powers that sustained Social Credit governments through more than three decades — might fit the description of feminist hero. But she rejects the title.

"I feel more comfortable being known as someone who has represented the human race. A feminist? It's not how I see myself," says McCarthy, whose feminist credentials, regardless, are unimpeachable.

Among her admirers is former prime minister Kim Campbell.

"I can't say that years ago I agreed with her politically, but Grace certainly made many contributions to the advancement of women," says Campbell.

Her most spectacular contribution may have come in 1968, when she successfully lobbied the federal government to introduce legislation allowing single, divorced and widowed women to apply for mortgages without the necessity of a male guarantor.

She grew up in the days when women couldn't get the telephone company to install a phone without a man's permission.

"It was something I'd run into when I started my flower business in 1946 (at age 17). I couldn't get a phone, B.C. Electric wasn't too happy with me either and I had to get my father to sign for everything. I couldn't open a bank account or get any credit," she says.

"It didn't seem right to me and when I got into politics I saw the broader picture of very capable women, equal in ability to men, being denied the right to get a mortgage without having a man to back them," she says.

A change in the National Housing Act fixed all that.

She is most proud of her part in producing the Protection of Children Act — the first of its kind in Canada — when she was Human Resources minister.

"We set up a helpline for children in trouble and the first call we received was from a little girl in Prince George who had been left for hours outside a beer parlour," she said.

As for where feminism should go next, McCarthy says it's up to Canadian women to help women in countries such as Egypt gain their rights.

"It's shocking when women are put down and abused because men are all powerful in their country. Overcoming that is the biggest challenge," she says.

gbellett@vancouversun.com

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Share

B.C. Heroes: Grace McCarthy

Video

Life Videos

Best of Postmedia

Swoop has yet to pick up a single customer, but Canada’s newest ultra-low-cost carrier is already talking about expanding into a market that is just taking off. Launched by WestJet Airlines Ltd., Calgary-based Swoop started booking customers this month for flights that begin this summer connecting five Canadian cities. It is offering discounted fares on […]

Director Ryan Coogler admits he was surprised by the initial feedback he got from the bigwigs at Marvel Studios when he began sharing his vision for its next franchise, Black Panther. After all, he was set to make a $200-million epic blockbuster; a popcorn movie that mixed dazzling special effects, heart-stopping action sequences and sprawling […]

At the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Mary Ormsby of the Toronto Star took one look at the fit, spandex-laden forms of the cross-country skiers and declared: “I have found my new sport.” Ormsby wasn’t a typical out-of-shape scribe. She had been an all-American volleyball player at Ohio State, so knew athletics from both sides. […]

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.